Applying for a licence | Importing a firearm | Importing by tourists
Airguns | Range certification | Other info sources
Importation of firearms
A Police "permit to import" is required for every firearm imported into this country and a permit to import will only be issued to a holder of a New Zealand firearms licence. New arrivals will be required to apply for a firearms licence once they have arrived here. Application must be made in person at the police arms office nearest to their home or place of employment. The process takes about 3 months to complete. A permit to import an airgun is not required and nor is a firearms licence required to possess and use the airgun provided the person is of or over the age of 18 years.
The importation of some types of airgun are, however, restricted. These are airguns listed in the Arms (Restricted Weapons and Specially Dangerous Airguns) Order 1984, and gas-cylinder powered air pistols which have firing mechanisms which can be easily converted to fire ammunition. Examples of the former are the Larc International Model 19A and Model M19AMP, and an example of the latter group is the Brocock gas-powered replica revolvers.
The Commissioner of Police strictly controls the importation of pistols, semi-automatic military-style and automatic restricted weapons. To possess revolvers and pistols (both classed as pistols in this country) one has to have either a B or C endorsed firearms licence. A B endorsement is issued to a member of a recognised pistol shooting club for pistols approved for pistol club use only, and a C endorsement, as a bona fide collector. The latter includes revolvers, pistols, or restricted weapons that are either heirlooms or mementos. Hunting with pistols is strictly forbidden in New Zealand.
Normally firearms are left in the country of origin. Once the owner obtains the required firearms licence the firearms can be imported provided they are approved types for importation. Almost all sporting firearms of a safe design and construction are acceptable for importation and where a firearm is not on the approved list, it is sent to the police armoury for evaluation at the owner's expense.
If the applicant is a New Zealand licence holder returning from overseas they will need to make sure that their firearm is of an approved type and that their licence is current and of the correct type. ie that they have the correct endorsement for the type(s) of firearm which they intend to import. The applicant can apply for a permit to import on arrival in NZ, or can apply for one from the Arms Officer nearest to where they live in NZ before their return. Only firearm types, which have been approved by the armourer for importation, can be brought into the country. Before importing any firearms shooters must check that the firearms that they intend to import they are approved types. Approved types are listed here.
The applicant will need to provide the full details of make, model, barrel length and serial number of the firearms. Also it is a good idea if the applicant can fully outline their case if they intend to hold any of these firearms as mementos or antiques.
Antique firearm means:
- Any firearm that;
- Is held in the possession of any person solely as an antique (but not as a copy or replica of an antique); and
- Is not designed for firing, and is not capable of firing, rimfire or centrefire cartridge ammunition
- Any firearm declared by regulations made under this Act to be an antique firearm for the purposes of this Act.
Police form POL 67 N that outlines the conditions and security requirements for licence types B, C, and E is available from Police stations.
